8.19.2012

Last two days of my short summer vacation,I traveled to Osaka with my friend.Osaka is the biggest city in west of Japan.This is my first time to visit there in my life.Actually I was not interested in Osaka before.Because everything I want is in Tokyo.And I know Osaka is more popular city than Tokyo for foreign travelers.I had no idea why Osaka is!Then,I decided to go to Osaka and I watch the town by myself this time!!!!Osaka is very famous for food,like Tako-yaki,Okonomi-yaki and Kushi-katsu.Last trip(that was alone),I ate only dessert because I couldn't go into a restaurant alone:/So,this time I asked my best friend to travel with me.That choice was great!I spent nice and funny time with her while traveling:)First of all,we got on Shinkan-sen!I didn't want to experienced heavy traffic jam any more.We choose "Hikari" which is the fastest train to Osaka from Tokyo.

Beautiful rice field,taken from window of the train.

2 and half hours later,we arrived at Shin-Osaka station and then,go to eat Okonomi-yaki in Doyon-bori.

We went this resraurant:mizuno(美津の).A chef baked okonomi-yaki in front of us.Of course,they were very nice:)After that,we couldn't eat Tako-yaki soon,so we walked around towns.

Anyway,it wastoooooo hot temperature><We went to watch a famous comedy show.In Japan,almost comedian came from Osaka.So almost non-Osaka people think people in Osaka are funny.But Osaka people get angry when we say like thatXD Although Japan is small island country,our characteristic vary by region.

Tako-yaki:)It was great!At night,we went to a famous tower:Tsuten-kaku.This is called the Eiffel Tower of Osaka.If French person read this article,please don't get angry.haha

Around this tower,there are many kushi-katsu restaurants.That is fried pork like BBQ.Osaka people seem to really like this food.Even junior high scholl students were in the same restaurant and ate them without alcohol(of course:/)I thought this food is like fast food for local people.

The next day was almost the same,just eating and walking....But this trip was really fun!!!!At last,Osaka is totally different atmosphere from Tokyo.The towns and people were very energetic and a lot of people are there because Osaka is smaller than Tokyo.

I'd like to go places I've never visited.Thank you for reading:)

In this week,my friend will come to Japan from Belgium.I'll show her around Tokyo:DI'm so excited and I'll post about it in August.This summer is pretty busy><See you and have a great summer////

8.18.2012

The other day,middle of my short summer vacation,I went to a national park of Nikko.The place I went was not famous area of Nikko,so I didn't see any monkeys and waterfalls.I hiked around "battlefield".That is just name,actually nobody fought there.

According to traditional story,It is said that once upon a time,a dragon fought against centipede there.Both of them were Gods of mountains who transformed as another creatures.

8.12.2012

Today was my first time to see this festival.It is held once a three years.I'm so excited to see it because the shrine which is center of this festival is close to my working place.I've heard sounds of people were practicing the festival many times while working in this month.(Previous article about this festival eve is here)People carries mobile mini shrine,called "mikoshi",with calling out "Wasshoi!Wasshoi!".The sound I've heard was that!

Although I've seen carrying mikoshi festival usually,this is really unique to pour water on mikoshi!!A lot of people was absolutely soaked to the skin!

Some people wore an happi coat...I don't know what should I say it in English!

That is written by"祭"means festival on their back.Including a cute dog!

Firefighters joinedXDXDXDXD!!

I've never seen such a great festival.I'd like to say thank people for carrying heavy mikoshi;)Today was so much fun!!!Thank you for reading and I hope your summer will be also nice;)